What is a DISC BULGE? 🤔💥
Commonly referred to as a ‘slipped disc’, a disc bulge occurs when enough stress is applied to the soft, shock-absorbing discs that sit between each vertebrae. The central part of the disc (nucleus pulposus) pushes on the supportive outer layer (annulus fibrosis), causing it to ‘bulge’ past its natural boundary.
The intervertebral discs are important as they ensure optimal movement of the spine, provide cushioning to the spinal column, and allow for translation of force/weight through the spine.
A disc bulge can vary in severity, and therefore also vary in symptomatic presentation. It doesn’t just depend on the size of the bulge, but more so its location and the extent of nerve involvement:
🟣 Mild - may cause no symptoms, or just mild local pain.
🟣 Moderate - causes discomfort and pain, and compensatory muscle response.
🟣 Severe - considerable local pain, and my also press on the nerve root causing neurological symptoms. 💥
Disc bulges can often be managed conservatively with chiropractic care, restorative movement, and strength work. Understanding the repetitive stressors that have contributed to the disc injury is crucial, so that lifestyle modifications can also be made. 🏋️♀️
A thorough assessment can provide enough information to determine the extent of the disc involvement, and therefore the appropriate plan of care. However if the disc injury is more severe, referral to a specialist for further diagnostic testing and imaging, like MRI, is likely. 🕵️♂️🩻📑
Our spines are not invincible! Ensuring we are doing the best we can to look after them, keep them moving and functioning well, and allow them to adapt to the stressors of our lives more appropriately should be a priority for everyone! 🧠⚡️🙌
#discinjury #discbulge #intervertebraldisc #spinalhealth #spinalinjury #nervesystem #strengthening #optimalfunction #movement #balance #chiropracticcare #chiropracticadjustment #getadjusted #thechironz #wevegotyourback
Driven On The Akatarawa Rd Lately?
If so, its good to know you are still alive and reading this.
We have a function to go to over Christmas up that way and having heard a few hairy stories about the road, I went up there on Thursday to check it out. The road's ok, narrow and winding, but not much worse than a Wellington hill suburb. What was pretty scary was the behavior of other drivers. Three vehicles heading the other way at speed would have crashed into me if I hadn't been pulled off the road. I had pulled in to check the address when a truck came flying past, taking up all of the narrow road at speed. There is no way the driver would have been able to stop had they come around the corner immediately in front of me. The other two drivers came hurtling past as I had turned in to turn around and come back down the hill. They were also driving at speed and taking up most of the road. Coming back down I passed another car coming up and estimate that the safe speed to pass another car was about 30-35 kms.p.h. So, now we're thinking, do we go to the function or not.? Feels a bit like we're taking our life in our hands going up there. Drivers appear to be overconfident, and they are courting serious injury.
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